The San Matean

Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of the Northern Cal. Korean Dance Association

CSM was lucky enough to have the Northern California Korean Dance Association hold their performance of Eternal Korea in the theater on Saturday Feb. 23.

"This performance was amazing. I haven't seen such beautiful work like this done by an older generation in a long time," said Amy Chen, a dance enthusiast. "They worked so hard and their performance was full of such emotion you could see it on their face as they danced."

The NCKDA performed Saturday night to a nearly sold out theater consisting of many different cultures. The performance consisted of two parts which were both elaborately choreographed by Hearan Chung who is also the artistic director for the association.

Chung mastered various fields of Korean dance and now holds a B.A and M.A degree in dance from Ewha Women's University which is one of Koreas leading universities.

Opening part of the performance which was titled Eternal Korea was a very eclectic piece that the NCKDA performed. "It focused on three specific types of movement which were the grief and pain arising from the death of a loved one, Birth and death portrayed as a never-ending chain, and the realization that death is not the end and desire to lead the soul safely to heaven" said Chung.

During a brief intermission the Master of Ceremony Jong Hyuk Lee had gone on to talk about the many accomplishments of Chung as well as what the NCKDA is. The NCKDA is a nonprofit organization that was created in March of 2004 by Chung. There company consists of armatures that are passionate about dance.

The dance went on throughout the evening with many different dances adding to the second half. There were a couple traditional dances that were all choreographed by Chung but performed by many different dancers.

"The Seung Mu was such a beautiful dance" said Diana Gonzales, a dance minor at CSM. "This whole performance was so exciting to watch."

Each of the dances were elaborate and put together in a manor where the audience had a connection with the people who were on stage. Every costume was brightly colored and most were handmade. The NCKDA has performed all over the Bay Area and always welcomes those who are interested in the traditional styles of Korean Dance.

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